Homebrew Cynocephali Species Details
"We spent a mere eight hours making our way up that dusty track, less than half of the time we thought it would take. Just past noon, we stopped to rest on a large ledge, giving the pack mules a break and us a chance to eat a midday meal. We had barely sat down, happy to be making good time, when Marcus shouted a warning; something about a wolf on the rocks above. We spun around to spy a crude javelin strike him in the chest, silencing him mid-shout. Suddenly, the ridge above was swarming with dog-headed creatures, welding primitive but fierce-looking stone blades and spears. At least a score of them leapt down, outnumbering our party twofold. Elonzi and Clara were cut down in seconds, and Lono a moment later. Realizing our fate would be sealed if we tried to fight, the rest of us fled. Dimitri and Kollo made for the mules, making barely a meter or two before a rain of spears brought them down. Sprinting down the track, Alkrim, Jip, and I never looked back, but the baying of the beasts rang loud in our ears."
Venturing from their mountain strongholds very occasionally to wage war on human villages or complete coming-of-age trials and tribal rituals, cynocephali have dwelt in hidden places for millennia. Rarely showing themselves, they almost never seen abroad in the world.Banished cynocephali are often bounty hunters or soldiers for orcs or goblinoids, but never humans. Tribe members serve their chieftain, who, along with a council of elders, controls the tribes war efforts.
Maw, Muscle, and Mars
Standing over seven feet tall, weighing up to 200 pounds, and bearing long arms ending in short claws, cynocephali are frightening figures to say the least. Built of wiry muscle and covered in short, earth-toned fur, their bodies are otherwise quite similar to most mammalian humanoids. However, their short snouts and triangular ears make their faces unmistakably canine in appearance. A cynocephali's gait is similar to that of a wolf or hyena, they move across the land with long loping strides, leaving deep, clawed prints wherever they tread.
During a cynocephali's typically violent life, they gain many wounds and battle scars. Generally, the more scars an individual has, the more respected they are. Tribe members spend many hours around a communal fire, recalling the tales behind their finest scars. Cynocephali pride themselves on being excellent hunters, so injuries won during hunts are by far the most prized, followed by wounds gained by battle.
Ancient Ways and Hidden Homes
Unlike nearly all other sentient races, cynocephali do not worship any gods. The cynocephali evolved from canines during a prehistoric age before the Great Forging of the world, before any god held sway over it. All cynocephali know this, and refuse to follow any religions to this day. Each member of the race posses a few memories from every single one of their ancestors, which they gradually remember throughout their lifetime. Through this ancestral memory the cynocephali have come to understand they origins of their race, and know that no god sculpted or brought them forth. Despite this, they hold a deep reverence for the spirits of animals and beings that leave this world, and honor them through ceremonial dances, songs, and chants.
During the period of great disarray following the Great Forging, they cynocephali did their best to understand and coexist with the new beings and races that suddenly populated the land they had for so long been one of the few inhabitants of. The newcomers disliked the cynocephali's animist way of life, and persecuted them for it. The cynocephali's greatest enemies were the humans of Europa and Asiana, who drastically reduced their races numbers. The cynocephali had no choice but to migrate to distant and hidden corners of the world, where they still keep their villages and strongholds.
Cynocephali communities consist of round-topped, animal-skin huts with frames of wood or bone. Entered through hide flaps, the interior of a cynocephali hut is centered around a small fire pit dug several feet into the earth. Fur blankets and bedrolls surround the hearth, and the weapons, clothes, and household items of the homes owner hang from the walls. The outside of a hut is often adorned by colorful embroidery depicting the history and triumphs of the family that lives there.
Cynocephali Names
The traditional tongue of the cynocephali - Cyneph - is a mixture of grunts, barks, and very harsh-sounding monosyllabic words. Names are commonly full words rather than sounds. When first born, a cynocephali is named for one of their ancestors. When they complete their tribe's coming-of-age ritual, their new name is chosen by the tribal elders, a name that usually reflects that individuals deeds, victories, or attributes.
Male Cynocephali Names: Guruk, Durn, Kro'gnr, Hont, Grom, Te'mkt, Dragt, Hegt, Gho'kir, Rohg, Mogr, Trow
Female Cynocephali Names: Epka, Ol'ki, Etno, Ylgra, Korga, Adga, Ot'ge, Kado, Ed'do, Unwu, Alko, En'ga, Udne
Every cynocephali seeks one thing above all, to continue their family line or to create a new one. This is a difficult task, as cynocephali are neither naturally trusting or quick to give affection. But because their kind grows rarer and rarer, cynocephali see it as their sacred duty to continue their race.
Cynocephali Traits
Your character posses certain skills and traits akin to wolves and other canines, as well as great strength.Ability Score Increase
Your Strength score increases by 2, and your Wisdom score increases by 1.
Age
Cynocephali reach adulthood at around sixteen, and rarely live to be more than sixty.
Alignment
Cynocephali are not naturally inclined to be evil or good, and act in the best intentions of their tribe, family, or self.
Size
Cynocephali are six to seven feet tall, and quite muscular. You size is medium.
Speed
Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision
Being descended from canines, you have excellent eyesight even in the blackest cave or dimmest forest.
Menacing
You gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill.
Fearsome Panic
When you drop to 5 HP or lower, you add +2 to all damage rolls on melee attacks you make. You can use this ability once per short rest.
Ancestral Memory
You have advantage on History checks made regarding your family history, or regarding the history of your tribe and home region.
Languages
You can speak, read, and write in the cynocephali tongue. You can also speak basic Common
Canine Senses
Your nose and ears are extremely well developed, and you are very aware of the world around you. You have advantage on Perception checks made that rely on hearing or smell.
Languages
You speak Cyneph, the native language of your kind, as well as Common.